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Tourism Industry Recognizes Impact of Phosphate Mining on Charlotte Harbor

Impact = $1 Billion Annually to Tourism Industry

A plan by the Mosaic Company to expand its phosphate strip mining operations into the headwaters of Horse Creek in Hardee County, FL may disrupt the waters of a region known for its recreational and commercial fishing. Charlotte Harbor, located in Southwest Florida, generates nearly $1 billion annually for the tourism industry. Recognizing the threats of phosphate mining on the health of the Harbor and the tourism industry, Charlotte and Lee Counties have prepared a program to educate the tourism industry and the public about what's at stake.

Horse Creek supplies critical freshwater flows to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, an estuary that provides the habitat and breeding grounds for largemouth bass, snook, and tarpon.

Charlotte and Lee County maintain that strip mining has had severe effects on native fish and wildlife that depend on steady water flows and water quality for breeding and habitat. In 2004, Hurricane Frances caused a berm break at one Mosaic facility sending millions of gallons of acidic water into a tributary to Hillsborough Bay, killing thousands of fish instantly. Left unchecked, the phosphate industry may have a detrimental impact on tourism, as well.

A study by University of Florida professor Dr. James Nicholas, concludes that a loss of fish habitat of just 1-4 percent would result in the loss of between 1,500 and 6,100 jobs for southwest Florida. In actual dollars, a one percent reduction in fish populations will cost the region $261 million annually. A four percent reduction would result in the loss of $1 billion annually. This includes losses to restaurants, hotels and related income.

Another study, conducted by Thomas Fraser, found that rivers and streams near reclaimed mines in Florida have already been affected, with some streams having no fish at all.

It's not just scientists who are worried about the effects of phosphate mining on the environment. Local fishermen are taking notice and asking questions. Some have even questioned the possibility of a link between a phosphate spill last year and the severe outbreak of red tide in the area this summer.

"We have every reason to be concerned." Says Sara Devos, Charlotte County Commissioner and liaison to the Tourist Development Council. "We only need to look at Tampa Bay and consider the consequences of Piney Point and the last spill from Mosaic to understand what's at risk for us."

For more information about phosphate mining and its impacts, please visit www.thephosphaterisk.com .

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